Crypto exchange Bitget is moving forward with plans to enter the U.S. market regardless of whether Congress passes the CLARITY Act, according to CEO Gracy Chen.
The company says its expansion strategy is no longer tied to pending crypto legislation. Instead, Bitget plans to establish a U.S.-based entity, secure the necessary regulatory approvals, and launch services only after meeting local compliance requirements.
The move marks a renewed effort to enter the American market after the company shelved similar plans following the collapse of FTX and the wave of regulatory scrutiny that followed.
Bitget revives its U.S. expansion plans
Bitget first explored entering the United States in 2022 but ultimately paused those ambitions as the regulatory environment became increasingly uncertain.
Now, the exchange believes the time is right to return.
Speaking about the company’s strategy, CEO Gracy Chen said Bitget has already decided to move into the U.S. market, regardless of the fate of the CLARITY Act.
However, the exchange will not rush its launch.
Instead, Bitget intends to establish a separate U.S.-based business that will operate independently from its global platform while pursuing all required regulatory approvals before offering services to American customers.
Regulatory approvals remain the priority
Before launching in the United States, Bitget plans to obtain several important licenses, including:
- Money transmitter licenses
- Broker-dealer approvals
- Derivatives-related regulatory authorizations
Chen emphasized that regulatory compliance remains central to the company’s expansion strategy, with the exchange preferring to complete licensing requirements before opening its platform to U.S. users.
This measured approach reflects Bitget’s broader global strategy of operating through locally regulated entities in different jurisdictions.
Tokenized stocks play a major role
Bitget’s U.S. ambitions extend beyond cryptocurrency trading.
According to Chen, the exchange has held discussions with both the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and Nasdaq regarding tokenized traditional financial assets.
The company views tokenized equities as an increasingly important part of its future business.
Chen revealed that tokenized assets accounted for approximately 20% to 30% of Bitget’s spot trading volume during the previous quarter.
She also noted that:
- More than 52% of Bitget users now hold both cryptocurrencies and traditional stocks.
- The platform’s tokenized stock products have accumulated more than $100 million in assets.
These figures highlight growing investor interest in blockchain-based versions of traditional financial products.
Building on its tokenized asset ecosystem
Bitget has been steadily expanding its tokenized investment offerings.
Earlier this month, the company introduced more than 100 tokenized U.S. stocks into its unified margin system alongside hundreds of other eligible assets.
Its Reality platform currently offers fully backed tokenized stocks and exchange-traded funds (ETFs), with selected products also eligible for use as collateral in trading.
However, Chen acknowledged that U.S. regulations could require a different structure for these products once the company officially enters the American market.
CLARITY Act remains uncertain
Although Bitget supports clearer crypto regulations, the company is no longer waiting for lawmakers to act.
The CLARITY Act seeks to establish a comprehensive federal framework for digital assets while defining oversight responsibilities between agencies such as the SEC and the CFTC.
While the legislation has made progress in Congress, significant uncertainty remains.
The Senate still requires sufficient bipartisan support before the bill can advance, and lawmakers continue negotiating updated legislative language.
Chen said that although the CLARITY Act could simplify parts of the regulatory process, Bitget’s expansion plans will move forward regardless of the bill’s final outcome.
Continuing global regulatory expansion
The planned U.S. launch follows Bitget’s ongoing efforts to expand through regulated markets worldwide.
The exchange recently submitted a MiCAR application in Austria while also securing registrations in markets such as Argentina.
At the same time, Bitget continues restricting services in jurisdictions where it lacks regulatory authorization.
The company recently confirmed that it is not licensed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore and does not actively target customers in that market.
What comes next?
Bitget has not announced an official launch date for its U.S. operations.
For now, the company’s focus remains on building a compliant regulatory framework before offering services to American customers.
While the CLARITY Act could eventually reshape the U.S. crypto industry, Bitget’s leadership believes regulatory uncertainty should not prevent long-term expansion into one of the world’s largest digital asset markets.
The exchange’s latest strategy signals that it is preparing for a regulated future in the United States—whether new crypto legislation arrives first or not.
